Goonerholic

After our very solid three goal triumph in Ostersund last week, and with the Carabao Cup Final to look forward to on Sunday, Arsene Wenger hinted that a very young team supplemented with a few wise heads will start the second-leg on Thursday evening. David Ospina has been confirmed as ... read more

The announcement today of an extension to the ‘partnership’ between Emirates and The Arsenal is a welcome one. Reportedly worth £200 million that is a genuine increase in our commercial activities which needed to grow to allow our burgeoning wage bill. Reportedly we have also been able to negotiate the ... read more

Just 200 miles from the Arctic Circle Arsene Wenger chose a strong mix of first team and cup team players to take on Ostersunds in the Europa League. The Gunners started with a flat back four of Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Skhodran Mustafi, and Nacho Monreal in front of David ... read more

The Arsenal have today (Wednesday) flown to Ostersund where they were greeted by sub-zero temperatures and deep snow. Welcome to northern Sweden in February. The conditions, plus the fact that the match is being played on an artificial surface, means some sensible precautions have been taken to protect those prone ... read more

As I start this piece I should warn you I suspect it will be brief. Ahead of the North London derby the Gunners suffered the loss of Aaron Ramsey with ‘a minor groin’ problem. Jack Wilshere and Mohamed Elneny came in for Rambo and Alex Iwobi. The first-half appeared to ... read more

It’s that weekend again. The away leg of the brace of North London derby matches we enjoy (or endure) every season. At least this year we do not have to visit the dive that is White Hart Lane. Hopefully unluckily for them we are off to Wembley, a stadium where ... read more

Apparently this is hump day. no longer Wednesday. I think I will stick with the latter. It has been a mixed one and included getting another opportunity at getting to watch the Arsenal women in action on the FA WSL Facebook page. You can, as I type, see the full ... read more

A day that made our away woes even more mystifying unfolded at the Grove as Everton were the first to discover that we have invested rather wisely in the January window. It was a day that will live long in the memory, from the pie, mash and liquor lunch, to ... read more

Defeat at Swansea has left us eight points off the top four so the visit of Everton must provide the start of an unbeaten run. Certainly there will be a fresh feel to the side tomorrow if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recovers from the fever that has also affected Jack Wilshere this ... read more

There was an unexpected recall for Aaron Ramsey for the trip to Swansea as the manager revealed that Jack Wilshere was ill. The only other change to the team that beat Chelsea was the anticipated switch to Petr Cech in goal. Olivier Giroud and Henrikh Mkhitaryan sere both named on ... read more

“What is a good warning for us is that Liverpool are an attacking team. You cannot criticise them for not attacking. They are very dangerous going forward and they didn’t manage to score against Swansea. That is a good warning for us that we have to produce an absolute total offensive ... read more

The manager opted to stay with an unchanged formation from that which accounted for Crystal Palace at the weekend. The only change of personnel was the recall of the cup tie ‘keeper, David Ospina, for Petr Cech. Chelsea opted to start without a recognised striker, but with a triple mobile ... read more

The excitement of Monday carried over to seeing the first snaps of Henrikh Mkhitaryan trains with his new team-mates this morning (Tuesday). Unfortunately he is not eligible to play against Chelsea in what frankly has become the biggest match of our season so far. Our only hope of playing someone ... read more

I don’t often watch Sky Sports News but I did this evening purely by chance and caught the moment that the exchange deal that took Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United and brought Henrikh Mkhitaryan to North London was announced. It’s a deal that will provoke mixed emotions, indeed already has on ... read more

There have been worst days. Birthday pints with some of Swindon’s finest set the scene for an enjoyable excursion to the home of football. Seats were taken in time to register a very well observed minute of applause for Cyrille Regis. The rain and the cold air barely registered and ... read more

Finally I get to watch my first live match of the new year as one of the form teams of the moment faces a side who must be praying for a result as their season threatens to barrel-roll out of control. Crystal Palace have lost just once in their last ... read more

Not surprisingly the topic of goalscorers has occupied my mind of late. This evening I’m looking back at the Arsenal’s top goalscorers since the beginning of the Premier League in the 1992-93 season and even includes three players, no, make that two, soon to be one (!) still currently playing for ... read more

My huge thanks to our very own Countryman100 for covering today’s debacle for me. I feel like I saw the match, so well did he cover the game. It was as I started this report that I realised that I seldom comment at length on games I’ve seen on TV. ... read more

Hello from Cornwall where I thought I might be able to cobble together a preview of Sunday lunchtime’s match at Bournemouth. However a series of trips to farm shops, garden centres, breweries, pubs, and restaurants has rendered that impossible. So you know what to avoid I am letting you know ... read more

As in the league fixture at Stamford Bridge in September the manager went into the first leg of the Carabao Cup with his best player, Alexis Sanchez, on the bench. Fortunately Skhodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka were fit to start, but Mesut Ozil was ruled out by injury. Alex Iwobi ... read more

This is where I now should type some nonsense about getting back on the horse, but instead it’s time to forget about Wembley in May and think about another potential cup win there in February. At least we have a couple of blank weekends coming up so picking anything other ... read more

Right, enough of the moping around. It’s time to look at the positives from yesterday. I had an amazing vegetable curry, and liquorice sambuca is delicious. That’s that, now for the post mortem, although so late that there is probably not much left to be said about the game. First ... read more

Welcome to half a post. After Arsene Wenger’s three match touchline ban I was set to continue my week long rant, but this morning’s (Saturday) Arseblog post covers everything I would have said so I shall just link to it here instead. That just leaves a little look ahead to ... read more

Arsene Wenger went for youth rather than experience and put Rob Holding into the gap vacated by the injured Laurent Koscielny. Ainsley Maitland Niles got the nod to start as left wing-back, and Mesut Ozil was passed fit to play. After a cautious start the Gunners came close to seizing ... read more

Back in May we went into the small matter of an FA Cup Final against Chelsea with a defensive crisis. Per Mertesacker was picked for his one appearance of the season alongside Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal with Laurent Koscielny suspended and Skhodran Mustafi ruled out by illness. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ... read more

Arsene Wenger made just one change to the team that won at Crystal Palace. Mesut Ozil was reportedly injured and Alex Iwobi was recalled, although he featured mainly on the right hand side rather than as a direct replacement. A familiar face ended an early attempt at a one-two between Alexis ... read more

Unable to go without my live football fix for any longer I made a very rare visit to Swindon Town to watch them edge Notts County 1-0 in an equally rare home win. There are things Town do very well. Before the match you can enjoy Guinness at pub prices ... read more

Arsene Wenger opted to stick with the flat back four against Liverpool and slotted Alex Iwobi into the right hand side of midfield. Liverpool went with the so-called fab four, prolific when started together this season. Both sides started energetically and the Arsenal won the first corner of the night ... read more

A glance at the Premier League is enough to emphasise how important the festive fixtures are going to be for the Arsenal. There’s little point right now in looking further ahead than Friday night’s visit of Liverpool to The Grove. Avenge our mauling by the Scousers in August and we ... read more

Arsene Wenger went with all but a couple in the preview, preferring to pair Calum Chambers and Rob Holding in the middle of a back four, and selecting Joe Willock rather than Jack Wilshere in the number ten role. West Ham juggled a few as well but had real experience ... read more

The quarter-final of the Carabao Cup. Yes, the quarter-final. We are potentially three matches away from another Wembley Final. It is likely, however, that the manager will turn to his ‘cup team’, although he might be keeping one or two of them fresh for the Liverpool game on Friday. David ... read more

Somewhat surprisingly the manager made just one change from the team that drew at West Ham. Alexandre Lacazette replaced his French international colleague, Olivier Giroud. That meant that Sead Kolasinac remained on the bench as Ainsley Maitland-Niles was rewarded for his excellent performance at the Hammers. After a confident start ... read more

A Saturday 3pm kick-off awaits the Gunners and Newcastle United this weekend, and I will miss out as I have an old friend’s birthday to celebrate shortly after the match finishes. It is a big match for both teams. The Arsenal need the points after being held in consecutive matches ... read more

Arsene Wenger rang the changes, both in system and personnel, for the trip to West Ham. With Per Mertesacker out injured and Sead Kolasinac rested on the bench we switched to a back four with Ainsley Maitland-Niles drafted in at left-back. Jack Wilshere replaced Aaron Ramsey in midfield and Alex ... read more

It’s the first of two meetings in a week with West Ham which could give a serious pointer to our prospects in 2018. Ten days ago this looked a routine three points but then The Irons went to the Emptihad and were denied a hard-earned point by a late David ... read more

The weather prevented many from getting down to Hampshire where the Arsenal took on Southampton, ironically untouched by the snow that swept across the rest of the country. As expected Per Mertesacker came in for Skhodran Mustafi but otherwise the Gunners first eleven remained unchanged. A major talking point was ... read more

So, it’s ten to nine and I have the first not so wee dram of the evening for company. What better way to preview a Sunday midday kick-off on the south coast? We are looking to create a first. The first team to beat Southampton away from home three times ... read more

Arsena Wenger sprung a surprise by switching to a 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Bate Borisov. Youngsters Rob Holding and Calum Chambers were selected as the centre-backs, flanked by Mathieu Debuchy and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in front of David Ospina. Jack Wilshere was free to play as the number ten ... read more

On a cold Thursday night at the Grove for which over 50,000 tickets have been paid for it will be interesting to see if more than half that number actually attends. With the top spot in the group already secured the match with Bate Borisov will serve principally as a ... read more

An extraordinary day started with pie, mash, and liquor, my first for many a moon in case Manze’s doesn’t survive. It was the perfect absorbtion material for the odd drink or two that were enjoyed in great company, as ever. What followed was a remarkable creative performance by the ... read more

Long Johns, check, layers, check, gloves, check, scarf, check. Trapper’s hat, ah, where have I put that? It looks like it will be a day for wrapping up warm for the visit of Manchester United on Saturday evening. Hopefully the quality of the match itself will keep our minds off the ... read more

There were no surprises when the teams were announced. Mesut Ozil was deemed fit to return to what the manager obviously feels is his strongest eleven right now. The visitors kicked off and forced a first-minute penalty which Petr Cech dealt with nervously under pressure. It was a false dawn. ... read more

A busy day at the Arsenal, it seems, as Raul Sanllehi arrived to take up the interesting position as director of football relations. It isn’t lost on anybody that he has been the director of football at Barcelona where he has worked for fourteen years. The appointment follows that of Dortmund’s Sven Mislintat ... read more

There was one shock omission when the team was announced pre-match. Mesut Ozil was ruled out and so Alex Iwobi took his place alongside the other ten players who won the North London derby last week. That emphasises where Jack Wilshere currently stands in the pecking order for the number ... read more

It’s a late Saturday preview of what has become a significant trip to the north-west. Draws for the neighbours, Liverpool, and Chelsea, have opened a window of opportunity for the Arsenal. As we saw last season a win at Sean Dyche’s Burnley isn’t easy, but we now have the added ... read more

It’s competition time again at Goonerholic thanks to our old friends at the Art of Football, who will help make one lucky Gooner’s week by sending them a superb teeshirt from their excellent range. Check out the range at the Art of Football website where you will find details of all their ... read more

A more experienced eleven than was expected took to the pitch in the RheinEnergie Stadion. Calum Chambers returned to the side at right wing-back, so Reiss Nelson started on the bench. Francis Coquelin partnered Mohamed Elneny in midfield allowing Jack Wilshere to slot in behind Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck. The ... read more

The first photographs of Cologne are on Social Media. You can see who has gone to take in a bit of culture, and who is there for the beer and bratwurst! This is the sort of fixture that has made the Thursday night sojourns rather more pleasing than we thought ... read more

You are, aren’t you? Go on, admit it it. You’re still smiling (with a couple of obvious exceptions-sorry D and C). This was the first match following the alleged shift in the balance of power and we were widely tipped in the media beforehand to be staring a defeat in ... read more

I suggested in the preview that we have a performance in us every Autumn. Thankfully so it proved today in the most important home game of the season. The neighbours were destroyed, and aren’t we glad about that. The performance was built on the rock provided by Laurent Koscielny, ... read more

It seems there isn’t a media outlet that isn’t hyping the latest North London derby to the highest peaks. I’ve just watched Sky Sports half hour preview show. I’ve been reading in various outlets all day about the shift in the balance of power, and who the world and his ... read more

As international breaks go that was probably one of the more bearable ones. The release of 89, superbly documented by our expert film reviewer in the last week, has distracted from the usual tedium of the interruption of club football as well as our defeat at the Emptihad. Gradually though ... read more

It’s time to complete Lucy Gooner’s experiences of the world premiere of 89 with her chat with the film’s significant driving force, Amy Lawrence. Amy is well known to most of you. A one-time contributer to the Gooner who developed her talent to the extent that having established herself at the Guardian ... read more

Part one of Lucy Gooner’s review of a roundtable event with Alan Smith and David O’Leary got some very favourable responses, thank you all. Here is the rest of the story. Thanks Lucy.A young Spider The pair of them looked back at the team’s run in at the end ... read more

Last night’s world premiere of 89 all provided an opportunity for our expert film reviewer, thank you Lucy Gooner, to catch up with some of those involved in the project. Here is the first part of a two part account of her audience with Smudger and Spider. Lucy has also ... read more

You would have to have been on Mars to not know that the world premiere of 89 is taking place this evening (Wednesday) at the Holloway Odeon. Earlier our expert film reviewer, lots of you will know her as Lucy Gooner, got the chance to speak with some of the ... read more

Regular readers will recall last week’s advance notice of the world premiere of 89, the film devoted to the Arsenal title triumph of the year of that simple title. If you are a Gooner of a certain age you only need to see the number 89 to be transported ... read more

I was doing my usual write-up as the match progressed but decided at the end of the game to delete everything and consider a little further what I had just seen. The manager surprised many with his formation and selection for the trip to free-scoring Manchester City. With Per Mertesacker ... read more

I normally end the preview with the ‘holic pound. Let me give you a few pointers to start this one. Manchester City are a best of 1/2 to win this one. You can get 6/1 against an Arsenal win. There are very good reasons for that and a lot of ... read more

The Gunners ‘cup team’ featured one change from the Carabao Cup win against Norwich last week, with Joe Willock replacing Alex Iwobi. If the latter is being saved for the trip to the Emptihad on Sunday could that mean we could go with a similar line-up to the one that ... read more

The return fixture against Red Star Belgrade is the latest test of what has become known as our cup team. Arsene Wenger confirmed he will again rotate his team for Thursday night’s fixture with one eye most definitely on Sunday’s trip to the Emptihad. The manager was full of praise ... read more

So, if you aren’t on social media you might not be aware that next Wednesday sees the world premiere of 89. The film is directed by Dave Stewart, with Lee Dixon and Amy Lawrence as executive producers. This is the story of the most astonishing end to a season ever ... read more

Football can be a funny old experience at times. The visit of Swansea (it could have been anyone) was a case in point. The pre-match half pint was livened by the presence of a number of Arsebloggers who have not been together for a long time. Hence the mood as ... read more

What a funny old week. Oliver Holt, of all people, persuaded me that in our last eleven matches our best result was the defeat at Watford, not the nine wins or the draw at Stamford Bridge. His astonishing logic after a strong Tottenham side chucked away a two goal lead ... read more

The expected eleven took to the pitch against Norwich and after a cagey start the match started to take shape. In the seventh minutes shots were blocked at both ends. First to get a chance was Olivier Giroud while at the other end City’s Murphy was denied. That activity proved ... read more

You’ll forgive the somewhat different approach to reporting on the match at Everton. The first weekend of half-term is time to be spent with others and the Arsenal takes something of a back seat. I did get back from golf with the grand’holics in time to see the second-half and ... read more

A black Labrador puppy is looking at me with eyes that cannot be ignored. There is no way in the world I will have time for a full preview of the trip to Everton. However I know you want to know what my punt of the match is so you ... read more

The Arsenal lined up at the Marakana pretty much as predicted in the preview with Mohamed Elneny dropped into the back three, and fit-again Francis Coquelin slotted into midfield. Would the so-called cup-tie team come up trumps again? The Gunners started on the front foot but Elneny’s through ball evaded Theo Walcott’s ... read more

The Europa League provides a second visit for Arsenal to Belgrade to play Crvena Zvezda at the Marakana. Well that’s how the locals knew the team and stadium when I travelled there in December 1978. It was bitterly cold but the home fans kindly lit a number of fires on the ... read more

I don’t get to too many away games, and so tend to look forward to them when I do get lucky with a ticket. This was my second of the season, and following the draw at Chelsea I was definitely anticipating the match at Watford despite having to drive ... read more

I haven’t been to Vicarage Road since the eighties, so when a good friend offered me a ticket for this weekend’s match I answered in the affirmative. I’m looking forward to see the transformed version of what was always a quirky stadium. Those were the days of Elton John and Graham ... read more

Today Arsenal were involved in a remarkable U-turn from recent policy and have been reported to have been negotiating new deals with the players who are just about still at the club. Dick Law has been reportedly whizzing round Shenley like Lovejoy at a jumble sale looking to secure the ... read more

A late afternoon was spent watching England and Scotland, so forgive the international flavour of the blog. I understand well that many are now disenchanted with internationals for the way they interrupt the League season. I was, maybe still am, but I have taken some pleasure in the performance of ... read more

Since Arseblog News broke the story about Stan Kroenke’s bid for Alisher Usmanov’s shares we have been waiting for a response from the Arsenal’s second largest shareholder. Today that response came and after a quick scan social media responded positively to the apparent rejection of Kroenke’s bid. “In recent days ... read more

A very unusual day, from the absurdly early departure to catch a coach because in the 21st century we cannot get a train from Swindon to London before lunchtime, to the equally tortuous journey home down the M4. What happened in between, footballistically and socially, was extremely enjoyable. The only downer ... read more

At some point I have probably been critical of people drawing conclusions about who will play in an upcoming fixture based on the training snaps on the club’s official website. However today guess what I found myself doing while Manchester City’s trip to Chelsea was unfolding on my laptop. Now ... read more

An hour after the match has finished I am trying to retrieve the details of a contest I would normally have written up in real time. I have the disadvantage of a full tank of Guinness, courtesy of a very special manager’s leaving drinks, but the advantage of a sobering ... read more

You’ve been waiting for this, I can tell. Come on then, what do we need to know about Bate Borisov? I can hear those chuckles. Well, I can read their website with Google translate, so I can tell you some stuff. Their home ground is even newer than the Grove ... read more

The expected back three and wing-backs were named in the starting eleven, but the midfield was re-arranged with Mohamed Elneny stepping alongside Granit Xhaka, This enabled Aaron Ramsey to be played in support of Alexis Sanchez and Alex Lacazette. Interestingly Jack Wilshere was next to Mesut Ozil on the bench and ... read more

What a strange weekend this is turning into. Football was meant to be played on Saturday afternoons, maybe Sunday as a last resort. Instead he who pays the piper calls the tune and if Sky say we have to play on Monday evening three days before going away to Barysaw ... read more

Arsenal rang the changes from Sunday’s starting eleven. All eleven in fact. As expected David Ospina lined up behind Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker, and Rob Holding, with exciting prospects Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the wing-back berths. Jack Wilshere returned alongside Mohamed Elneny in midfield behind a potent looking ... read more

Although the memories of Chelsea are still fresh in the mind it is time to look forward again to the visit of Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup. Suffice it to say I knew precious little about the current Doncaster Rovers set-up so I’m grateful for the online presence of ... read more

In all honesty when you set out for the bus stop in Fulham these days it is with an awareness that this hasn’t been the happiest of trips for a few years. This was no different. A grey morning spent on a train meandering through the home counties didn’t lift ... read more

After five consecutive Premier League defeats at the bus stop in Fulham we make the journey again this Sunday. What has changed to give us some hope? Well, consecutive victories over the same opposition in the FA Cup Final and Community Shield, and two new players to improve the squad. ... read more

Chaotic scenes in and around the stadium prior to tonight’s Europa League tie forced a one hour delay to kick-off. Reportedly 20k Cologne supporters arrived at the stadium gates despite their allocation being 2900 tickets, the usual number for visiting teams in the Premier League and European competition. Questions about ... read more

Hello all. After a long few days it is time to put something together about the impending Europa League bow against Cologne on Thursday evening. I’ve been out of the loop since the weekend so it will be based on what I can speed read tonight and downright invention! Of ... read more

Arriving in the bonus sunshine in North London on Saturday lunchtime heralded the start of one of the good days. A really lovely lunch, a quick whizz around the Armoury, and two Junior Gooners were kitted out for an afternoon on the Clock End on a day when the Arsenal returned ... read more

Thankfully another miserable international break is coming to a close, and I will get my first glimpse of the Gunners in the flesh this season. Bournemouth arrive at the Grove on Saturday to face a team that needs a good result even this early in the campaign. It will be ... read more

The two defeats leading into the international break has made this fortnight a pretty miserable time. Mesut Ozil, Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, indeed anybody connected to the football club appears to be a target right now. Not that some of it isn’t warranted. Ivan in particular needs to pay more attention ... read more

The week from hell is drawing to a close. Chicken curry and noodles have been consumed, a couple of pints have been sunk, and England will shortly kick-off in Malta. Quite when I will finish this is anyones guess. A review of the window is probably in order. I doubt ... read more

Arsene Wenger’s team selection for the trip to Liverpool, a week after the defeat at Stoke, beggared belief. I have fought his corner for many a year, but there was no defending this line-up. Danny Welbeck was retained while Alexandre Lacazette, a £52m signing, and Olivier Giroud, France’s number one ... read more

I could leave you to finish that headline. Instead I will confess that like most of us right now I am hearing voices. Or rather, a voice. That little devil on my shoulder trying to steer me from my preferred course. The preview of our trip to Anfield is currently ... read more

You may recall the first two books by the same author, I Am Sam and ITV7, which were reviewed here on release. Researching for the final part of the trilogy unearthed so much material about the Arsenal, particularly in the era in which I was supporting the Gunners home and ... read more

Somewhat surprisingly Skhodran Mustafi was the only central defender recalled to the back three for the trip to Stoke, and he replaced the only central defender who played against Leicester. Left-backs Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac were retained. The only other change was in midfield where Aaron Ramsey was preferred ... read more

It’s been a busy week speculation wise with regard to potential departures as well as arrivals. It’s fair to say that the second actual Premier League football match of the season, despite it’s location, will provide (hopefully) a welcome distraction. Hopefully the string of poor performances at the Britannia/Bet365 Stadium ... read more

It’s Wednesday evening and I am watching my second Champions League match of the day. It’s a very strange feeling to say the least. Casually, I wonder if Ivan and Arsene are watching and have the same feeling? After nineteen consecutive campaigns we are the little boy with his face pressed ... read more

Mesut Ozil’s recovery saw the only change to the line-up suggested in the preview as he replaced Alex Iwobi in the advanced midfield role. That team started in impressive fashion and Alexandre Lacazette’s Premier League debut was only two minutes old when he he grabbed his first competitive goal for the ... read more

The preparation is over, and the real work starts now for Arsenal who need to hit the ground running on Friday. Disappointingly, given the number of fitness and conditioning staff we now employ, we go into the new season with serious level of fitness issues. According to physioroom.com we head the ... read more

The Gunners went into the Community Shield without Laurent Koscielny, Skhodran Mustafi, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, and Alexis. Let’s hope we are able to field a stronger line-up next Friday. Petr Cech started against his former club behind a back three of Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, and Nacho Monreal. That ... read more

A few days gathering rust completed, it’s good to be back to preview the FA Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley. Some would try to elevate the status of what is essentially a last chance to work on some things before the season kicks off properly. Victory next Friday is ... read more